Northern Ireland Railways: Templepatrick Station

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Northern Ireland Railways Templepatrick station will be opened.

Baroness Amos: Translink has advised that their plan to build a halt in or around the Templepatrick area in order to complete the Antrim to Bleach Green line project, has had to be deferred in order to meet other pressing operational priorities associated with the introduction of the new rolling stock.

Northern Ireland Railways: A D Little Review

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the main conclusion of the A D Little Report of April 2002 into Northern Ireland Railways.

Baroness Amos: The A D Little Review of April 2002 concluded that Translink are continuing to operate Northern Ireland Railways at risk levels that are not unreasonable and that significant progress has been made, and is continuing to be made, in addressing key safety risks.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current establishment figure for the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and how that compares with the proposed figure for 2003.

Baroness Amos: The Independent Commission on Policing recommended a regular force of about 7,500 officers, with a proposed figure of just over 7,100 in 2003. The actual strength of the PSNI at 30 September 2003 was 7,291 regular officers, including 256 trainees. It is anticipated that the regular strength, including trainees, will reach 7,450 by the end of March 2004. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Chief Constable retains the support of the full-time reserve, currently numbering 1,701 officers. claire

Cory Report

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they received Judge Cory's report about deaths arising from alleged collusion between security forces and paramilitaries in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; and when this report will be published.

Baroness Amos: Justice Peter Cory presented his findings in the cases of Patrick Finucane, Billy Wright, Rosemary Nelson and Robert Hamill to the British Government on 7 October 2003. As specified in the judge's terms of reference, the Government will publish the final reports, subject only to any necessary adjustments to ensure that the privacy and right to life of individuals is protected, and that the Government's obligations in relation to ensuring justice and protecting national security are maintained. The reports will be published as soon as possible in line with these terms of reference.

East Belfast: Bus Lanes

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to make the bus lanes in East Belfast operational 24 hours a day.

Baroness Amos: The chief executive of Roads Service has written to the noble Lord in response to this Question. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Schools Using Renewable Energy

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of schools in Northern Ireland are currently using electricity created by renewable energy.

Baroness Amos: At present 87 per cent of grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland are now using electricity from a renewable source.

Northern Ireland Parades Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is their policy to reduce the workload, and the funding, of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission through the support of bodies which promote cultural tolerance.

Baroness Amos: The Government welcome the contribution that bodies that promote cultural tolerance can bring to resolving contentious issues in Northern Ireland. The Government have no plans to reduce the level of funding available to the Parades Commission, but look forward to a time when there are no contentious parades in Northern Ireland.

North/South Ministerial Council: Budget 2003–04

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 1 July (WA 79) concerning the budget of the North/South Ministerial Council for 2003–04, how much has been spent to date; whether they expect the budget to be underspent or overspent at the end of the financial year; and what is the period of the financial year in question.

Baroness Amos: The financial year runs from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. Up to 30 September 2003 the North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat (North) has spent £286,000 of the allocated budget of £672,000. It is anticipated that the budget will not be fully spent and an easement of £30,000 was declared in the September monitoring round, resulting in a revised allocation of £642,000.

East Belfast: Community Infrastructure

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they propose to take to address the issue of weak community infrastructure in East Belfast.

Baroness Amos: East Belfast is currently benefiting from a number of government initiatives and programmes focusing on the issue of weak community infrastructure.
	The Local Community Fund which aims to develop local community capacity and leadership is targeted at specific areas with the greatest needs. Communities in Pottinger, Avoniel, The Mount, Willowfield and Ravenhill will benefit directly under this fund through the allocation of a total of £418,000 this year.
	The Outreach Programme which is a three-year initiative totalling £2.9 million is supporting two projects in East Belfast. The "East Belfast Parent Support Initiative" and the "Ballybeen Regeneration Project" will receive funding totalling £455,000 to address, among other things, issues of weak community infrastructure.
	Through environmental improvements in East Belfast Groundwork (NI) and local communities are working together to increase capacity and improve infrastructure.
	Local community leaders are considering the need for a pilot community convention in East Belfast aimed at creating practical ways to help local people tackle disadvantage and work in partnership with government bodies.
	The Department for Social Development's Belfast Regeneration Office South and East Team have this year committed £414,904.00 towards 24 projects in East Belfast, which are related directly to addressing weak community infrastructure.
	The Government's strategy for neighbourhood renewal, "People and Place", launched in June this year, is a seven to 10-year strategy, which has as one of its key strategic objectives the development of confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

East Belfast: Connswater River

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to improve the aesthetic quality of the Connswater River in East Belfast.

Baroness Amos: Further to my Answer of 28 January 2003 (WA 141), the Urban Pollution Management Study for the Connswater area is currently being undertaken by the Water Service of the Department for Regional Development and is due for completion in early 2004. This study will inform any improvements to the sewer system needed to meet the required water quality standards. This is the first major review of the impact of urban pollution on the Connswater system. It will identify potential solutions to control discharges of storm sewage and problems with sewage related litter in the Connswater River, with the aim of achieving improved water quality in the future.
	In the mean time, the Water Service has installed screens on the Connswater Road pumping station. These have resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of sewage related debris coming from this particular source.

East Belfast: Housing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to promoting "Living Over the Shop" initiatives in East Belfast.

Baroness Amos: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in conjunction with Derry City and Lisburn City Councils, has initiated pilot "Living Over the Shop" schemes in Lisburn and Londonderry. These pilots are currently about half way through their three-year project life and will be evaluated in detail in due course. Following this consideration will be given to extending the scheme to other areas including East Belfast.

East Belfast: Housing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to improve the housing stock in East Belfast and undertake environmental improvements to areas of open space.

Baroness Amos: In the period up to 31 March 2004, the Housing Executive proposes to improve housing stock in East Belfast through the progression of urban renewal schemes, a programme of planned maintenance schemes to some 3,800 dwellings, and grant aid for the private sector. In addition, land will be released for private sector development and for the provision of 130 new social housing units by housing associations. Ongoing maintenance and upkeep of planted areas within the Housing Executive's ownership will be carried out.

East Belfast: Urban Development Grants Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What projects have been awarded Urban Development Grants in each of the past five years in East Belfast; and how much each project was awarded and for what purpose.

Baroness Amos: A total of £1,904,613 has been awarded to schemes in East Belfast since 1999–2000 with £836,583 paid out to date. In the current financial year, 2003–04, an additional scheme is currently under consideration with potential total grant award of £92,000. A summary of those schemes awarded urban development grant in the past five years is shown below: jenny
	
		
			 Financial Year Awarded Scheme Description   Property Address Total Grant Aid & Fees(1) 
			 1999–2000 Refurbishment of Wholesale Warehouse. Castlereagh Street £212,030 
			  New Build Retail Units. Beersbridge Road £97,500 
			 2000–01 Refurbishment to provide ground floor retail unit and upper floor apartments. Castlereagh Street £113,697 
			 2001–02 Refurbishment of existing and vacant retail units. Newtownards Road £60,597 
			  Construction of 3-storey office building. Lomond Avenue and Holywood Road £76,939 
			 2002–03 Refurbishment of existing building for office and retail accommodation. Albertbridge Road £502,263 
			  Refurbishment of existing premises for office and retail use. 395–407 Newtownards Road £222,426 
			  Refurbishment and Extension of Existing Office Block. Albertbridge Road £87,000 
			  Construction of shop/retail unit. Castlereagh Street £41,725 
			  Construction of office and retail units. Ravenhill Road £32,811 
			  Refurbishment and Extension of fast food outlet. Dee Street £14,080 
			 2003–04 New Build office development. Albertbridge Road £90,088 
			  New Build retail units with apartments above. Albertbridge Road £277,200 
			  Refurbishment of existing premises for motorcycle sales showroom. Albertbridge Road £76,257 
		
	
	(1) Includes schemes at various stages of development, from just started to fully completed and paid out.
	claire

East Belfast: Belfast Regeneration Office Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What projects have been awarded Making Belfast Work funding in each of the past five years in East Belfast; and how much each project was awarded and for what purpose.

Baroness Amos: Since 1998, Making Belfast Work has been subsumed within the Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO). BRO has three funding streams; namely, Action Plan, Area Teams and Urban Development Grants.
	I have arranged for information on these funding streams to be placed in the Library of the House.

Northern Ireland: Commissioners for Employment Tribunals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who are the Commissioners for Employment Tribunals in Northern Ireland; what is their remuneration; and how are they appointed; and by whom.

Baroness Amos: The equivalent of employment tribunals in Northern Ireland are the industrial tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal. There are no commissioners for the tribunals. There is a president and vice-president of the Tribunals appointed by the Lord Chancellor. There are currently five full-time chairmen of the tribunals appointed jointly by the Lord Chancellor and the Department for Employment and Learning. There are currently 13 part-time chairmen of the industrial tribunals appointed by the Department for Employment and Learning. One part-time chairman of the industrial tribunals is also a part-time chairman of the Fair Employment Tribunal appointed by the Lord Chancellor. A list of the names of the president, vice-president, full-time chairmen and part-time chairmen is given below.
	The remuneration of the president and vice-president is £119,160 and £110,362 per annum respectively. The remuneration of full-time chairmen is currently £88,546 per annum. Part-time chairmen are paid a daily fee of £386.
	Appointments are made through publicly advertised competitions. Office of the Industrial Tribunals and The Fair Employment Tribunal President Mr J E Maguire, CBE Vice-president Mrs M Percival-Price Full-time Chairmen Mr D D Buchanan Mrs M Davey Mr N P C Drennan, QC Ms E R McBride Mrs P M Smyth Part-time Chairmen (IT) Mr P V Buggy Mrs M R Cooper Miss W A Crooke Mr S M P Cross Mr S A Crothers Mr M C Davey Mrs L A Gilbert Mr B J Greene Mr J V Leonard Miss E M McCaffrey Mr M G O'Brien Mr E T Pakenham Ms M C Sheehan Part-time Chairmen (FET) Mrs M R Cooper

Belfast Education and Library Board: Ulster Scots Support

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 July (WA 24), why the Belfast Education and Library Board has no plans to support the Ulster Scots community through connections with Scotland; and whether it will now make such plans.

Baroness Amos: This is a matter for the Belfast Education and Library Board. However, I understand from the chief executive that the board, in the context of its international policy, continues to seek ways of developing connections with other authorities, including Scotland. Discussions have taken place with a number of authorities but as yet no formal agreements have been reached. bern

Northern Ireland: Education for Mutual Understanding and Cultural Heritage

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 July (WA 25), when they will introduce material and expertise available through the Ulster Scots Agency into the statutory curriculums as a part of the cultural heritage and education for mutual understanding of cross-curricular themes.

Baroness Amos: The Government have no plans to introduce material relating to Ulster Scots into the curriculum on a statutory basis. The statutory requirements pertaining to Education for Mutual Understanding (EMU) and Cultural Heritage are set out as a series of objectives, however, it is a matter for individual schools to determine how they deliver these objectives. The Government do not prescribe the use of any particular materials as it is up to schools to determine what resources they use to deliver the curriculum.

Northern Ireland: Hare Coursing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they plan to ban live hare coursing in Northern Ireland.[HL4844]

Baroness Amos: There are no immediate plans to impose a ban on live hare coursing in Northern Ireland.
	In a recent news release it was announced that the Department of the Environment would shortly be initiating consultation on a proposal to make a temporary special protection order to prevent the killing and taking of Irish hares. A copy of this news release has been placed in the Library of the House.
	This proposal is designed to assist the department to achieve an objective of a NI species action plan to double the population of the Irish hare by 2010.
	In order to help achieve this objective, an application from Dungannon and District Coursing Club to net hares for the purpose of hare coursing has recently been refused. jenny

Belfast Agreement: Human Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 October (WA 92), what assurances they have received from the Government of the Irish Republic about the implementation of a human rights programme in the Irish Republic similar to that in Northern Ireland, as required in the Belfast agreement.

Baroness Amos: The Government have been assured that all of the comparable steps to be taken by the Irish Government as set out in paragraph 9 of the section of the 1998 agreement entitled "Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity" have been taken. These measures complement and strengthen the existing safeguards and protections of fundamental rights as enshrined in Articles 40 to 44 inclusive of the 1937 Irish Constitution.

Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is fully funded; and how soon they expect that objective to be fulfilled.

Baroness Amos: The Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (the Global Fund) held its 6th board meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand on 15 to 17 October. Important progress was made towards putting the Global Fund on a sounder financial footing enabling it to better predict—and meet—its needs for funding for future proposal rounds.
	The board approved Round 3 proposals, bringing the total amount approved after three proposal rounds to 2.1 billion US dollars for support to 125 countries. Round 4 will be launched in January. Future funding rounds will be launched depending on funds being available as pledged donations. A related but crucial agreement was therefore to put in place a comprehensive financing framework to allow for more predictable financing, and to strengthen financial management.
	This will help the work of the Resource Mobilisation Committee which has been established to bring donations to the Global Fund. The UK position remains that the right way to encourage increased contributions to the Global Fund is to demonstrate good results.

House of Lords: Political Affiliations of Hereditary Members

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will correct the statement made by the Lord Privy Seal (HC Deb, 16 October; col 261) that 89 of the hereditary Peers are Conservatives.

Baroness Amos: The breakdown of the political affiliation of the current 91 hereditary Members of the House of Lords is as follows:
	Conservative 50
	Cross-Benches 33
	Liberal Democrat 5
	Labour 3

Afghanistan: UK Support for British and Afghan NGOs

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which British and Afghan non-governmental organisations they have supported in Afghanistan since November 2001.

Baroness Amos: To date, DfID has funded 65 humanitarian and development programmes through British and Afghan NGOs at a cost of approximately £17 million. Fifteen British NGOs have been involved including Christian Aid, Merlin, the Halo Trust, British Red Cross, AfghanAid, Ockenden International and Islamic Relief. The Afghan Development Association, AREA (Agency for Rehabilitation and Energy Conservation in Afghanistan) and Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance are among the seven Afghan NGOs funded.

Teachers: Training for Driving School Minibuses

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will fund the cost of training, testing and supply cover for teachers who need to be trained to drive school minibuses in order to ensure that they are trained to a sufficiently high standard to transport school children safely.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Local education authorities and schools may already use their general funds for training teachers to drive school minibuses. The Government have no plans to provide earmarked funding specifically for such purposes. We are seeking to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective minibus driver training schemes that would help ensure the continued safe transport of pupils by school staff on educational visits.

SchlumbergerSema

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What services SchlumbergerSema provides for the Law Officers' Department.

Lord Goldsmith: SchlumbergerSema provides a disaster recovery site for the Crown Prosecution Service. This is under a three-year contract awarded following a competitive tender exercise. This is the only service to the Crown Prosecution Service provided by SchlumbergerSema.
	SchlumbergerSema does not provide any services for the Serious Fraud Office, Treasury Solicitor's Department, or HM CPS Inspectorate for which I am responsible. bjc

Religiously Aggravated Offences: Prosecutions

Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many faith-related incidents were prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales in the most recent years for which statistics are available.

Lord Goldsmith: Information held centrally by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about prosecution decisions relating to religiously aggravated offences shows that since 14 December 2001, when the provisions of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 came into effect, and 28 October 2003 when records were last updated, the police have submitted 57 cases involving one or more defendants and involving at least one allegation of a religiously aggravated offence to the CPS.
	In three cases, the police requested advice from the CPS before any changes were instituted. In each of these three cases, the CPS advised that there was insufficient evidence for charges of any nature to be instituted. Of the remaining 54 cases, the following outcomes have been recorded: in 24 cases, there was a conviction on at least one religiously aggravated charge; in three cases, there was a conviction on the basic, non-aggravated offence only; in five cases, there was an acquittal after trial; in two cases, the defendants agreed to be bound over, in six cases, the CPS discontinued proceedings. An outcome is awaited in 14 cases.
	The quoted figures are collated centrally by CPS Policy Directorate based on reports received from the areas.

Departments of State: Staff in London and the South East

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many staff the following departments (or the total of those parts of their predecessor departments within the same functions) employed in 1997 and 1992 (a) in London and (b) in the rest of South-East England: Culture, Media and Sport; Customs and Excise; Education and Skills; Work and Pensions; Health; Trade and Industry; Home Office; Constitutional Affairs; and the Office for National Statistics.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The figures are shown in the table below. The tables represent the data reported to the Mandate database for the two time points, 1 April 1992 and 1 April 1997, and are based on the full-time equivalence for the number of permanent staff in each department. The Mandate database consists of staffing data collected electronically from departments and agencies. The figures shown are the overall figures for departments including any departmental agencies.
	There have been many changes in departmental responsibilities since 1992 a list of which, ranging from 1985 to April 2002, can be found at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. Huw
	
		Full Time Equivalents 
		
			  1 April 1997 
			  Current Department Name Equivalent Department Name London Rest of South East 
			  Permant Non-Industrial Staff 
			 Customs and Excise Customs and Excise 4,210 5,950 
			 Health Health 2,450 10 
			 Trade and Industry Trade and Industry 4,420 580 
			 Home Office Home Office 11,510 8,600 
			 Constitutional Affairs Lord Chancellor's Dept 4,340 870 
			 Office of National Statistics Office of National  Statistics 750 680 
			 Education and Skills Education and Employment 10,390 110 
			 Works and Pensions Social Security 10,540 6,170 
			 Culture, Media and Sport National Heritage 340 0 
			 Permanent Industrial Staff 
			 Home Office Home Office 280 540 
			 Works and Pensions Social Security 0 0 
		
	
	
		Full Time Equivalents
		
			  1 April 1992 
			 Current Department Name Equivalent Department Name London Rest of South East 
			 Permanent Non-Industrial Staff 
			 Customs and Excise Customs and Excise 6,540 7,730 
			 Health Health 3,690 90 
			 Trade and Industry Trade and Industry 6,450 530 
			 Home Office Home Office 12,840 8,290 
			 Constitutional Affairs Lord Chancellor's Dept 4,290 1,420 
			 Office of National Statistics Office Population  Census and Surveys 550 850 
			  Central Statistical Office 364 0 
			 Education and Skills Education and Science 1,480 120 
			  
			  Employment  Department Group 9,670 5,470 
			 Works and Pensions Social Security 10,520 6,340 
			 Culture Media and Sport No Department 
			 Permanent Industrial Staff 
			 Home Office Home Office 190 590 
			 Works and Pensions Social Security 30 10 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All numbers rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Employment Department Group was abolished on 5 July 1995. The majority of staff joined what became the Department for Education and Employment.
	3. Culture, Media and Sport was formed in 1998 from National Heritage, which itself was newly created on 3 July 1992, using staff transferred from several departments.
	4. The Office Population Census and Surveys and Central Statistical Office merged to form the Office of National Statistics on 1 April 1996.
	bern

Civil Service: Permanent Staff

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Taking the 512,400 civil servants employed in the year to April 2003 as the baseline, by what numbers they expect the size of the permanent Civil Service to rise in each of the years (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Forecast staffing numbers are 529,500 in 2003–04; 525,200 in 2004–05; and 519,400 in 2005–06.

ISAs and PEPs: Taxation Changes from 5 April 2004

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they are ceasing the 10 per cent tax relief on stocks and shares ISAs from April 2004 when they are seeking to encourage savings.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The removal of the ISA and PEP payable tax credit is part of a package of reforms of the corporation tax system announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his July 1997 Budget.
	This package included reductions in the rate of main corporation tax and small companies tax.
	After 5 April 2004, PEP and ISA investors will still pay no income tax on their investment returns or capital gains tax on any long-term capital appreciation.

ONS: National Accounts Revisions

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Office for National Statistics understated Britain's latest national accounts by £800 million.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician, Mr Len Cook, to Lord Taylor of Warwick, dated 4 October 2003. bjc
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on Britain's National Accounts. (HL5079).
	I have assumed that your question refers to the estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the second quarter of 2003, which was revised from 0.3% to 0.6% in September 2003. This revision represents economic activity of approximately £800 million.
	It is standard statistical procedure to revise previously published figures once new evidence becomes available. Revisions mainly arise from the availability of more rich and detailed information, as in this case, where results from a full survey of the construction industry gave a markedly different estimate of activity in this sector than had been provided by earlier model-based calculations, and early returns from the survey.
	The magnitude of the revision to GDP was outside the range that is usually expected at this time, and arose from an unusually large revision to the estimate of activity in a single sector of the economy. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is investigating whether this revision reflects ongoing difficulties in measuring a sector which is known to be volatile, and whether the sector measure itself meets our current expectations. We are also continually updating methods and adapting to shifts in the economic base of the United Kingdom.
	Further information regarding this revision to GDP appears in the Quarterly National Accounts Briefing Note which is available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/qnabrief0903.pdf.
	Whenever revisions are made, we publish them in an honest and transparent manner, under the terms of the National Statistics Code of Practice. Furthermore, we periodically publish analyses of the revisions made to the GDP figures, so that users can assess the nature and magnitude of the changes that have been made.

Income Tax: Overpayments and Tax Codes

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they will take to remedy overpayment of income tax by taxpayers as a result of tax code mistakes.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Pay As You Earn collects tax on a provisional basis. If the Inland Revenue becomes aware during the year that the code is incorrect, and too much tax is being deducted as a result, the code can be changed. When this happens the Pay As You Earn system should ensure that the taxpayer is repaid any overpaid tax in their wages. If the Inland Revenue become aware after the end of the year that too much tax has been collected through PAYE, it will arrange for a repayment.

TV Licensing: e-mail Address

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the television licensing authority in Bristol does not give an e-mail address for customers to use in correspondence.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: TV Licensing carries out the administration of the television licensing system under contract to the BBC, which has statutory responsibility for licence fee collection, and the Government have no power to intervene in operational decisions. However, I understand that TV Licensing's e-mail address is published on its website—www.tvlicensing.co.uk—and it receives approximately 8,000 e-mails a month from members of the public.

Long-term Care: Regulation of Funding Market

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will introduce further regulation for the long-term care funding market.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) already has responsibility for regulating the advice and selling of immediate care annuities and long-term care insurance investment bonds. These are investments used to finance long-term care.
	On 1 July 2003, Parliament approved the Government's proposals to give the Financial Services Authority (FSA) responsibility for regulating mortgage business and general insurance mediation. That legislation included proposals to give the FSA responsibility for regulating the selling and marketing of long-term care insurance pure protection contracts.
	It is for the FSA to decide how it plans to put these decisions into effect. In September 2003, the FSA set out draft policy proposals, rules and guidance for regulating long-term care insurance (CP 200). The aim is to put in place a proportionate and consistent regulatory regime for the sale and marketing of all long-term care products designed to meet some or all of an individual's long-term care costs. Regulation will come into force with effect from 31 October 2004.

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they plan to review the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government are today announcing the scope of the two-year review of the Financial Services and Markets Act, details of which are set out in a paper which is available in the Printed Paper Office and the Library of the House.

Regulations: Cost to Business

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) what is the total cost to business of regulations introduced since 1998; and (b) of the total costs, how much is as a result of regulations which emanated from the European Union.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There is no comprehensive accurate measure of the cost to business of regulations. bern

Energy: Security of Supply

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the sudden power cuts in London in August, what contingency measures will be taken to prevent more power cuts this winter.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Following the power cuts in London and the Midlands the Department of Trade and Industry, with the industry regulator, Ofgem, have launched investigations into the cause of the failures. The Government believe it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst these investigations are still under way.
	NGT's Group Chief Executive, Roger Urwin, assured the Energy Minister, Stephen Timms, in a letter of 15 September, that National Grid had put in hand appropriate steps to avoid a recurrence.
	More generally government is working with Ofgem, through the Joint Energy Security of Supply working group (JESS) to monitor energy security, specifically taking a forward look and making the conclusions publicly available—allowing market participants to react in good time.

Renewables Obligation Certificates

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the fall in the monthly value of trades in fixed price renewables obligation certificates since (a) 1 May 2003; and (b) 12 August 2003; and
	What was the total value of renewables obligation certificates traded in the first compliance period; and
	What is their estimate of the state of the market in renewables obligation certificates on the forward programme of investment in the generation of electricity from renewable source.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The prices paid by electricity suppliers for renewables obligation certificates are a matter for the industry, although we recognise that the renewables obligation certificate market is important in terms of providing investor confidence for longer term renewables projects. In view of this, the Government have been working closely with the industry to see if any further steps need to be taken to avoid a recurrence of the sort of problems cause by TXU UK going into administration.
	While we do not have information as to the value of ROCs traded in the first obligation period, I can confirm that over 5.5 million ROCs were issued from 1 April 2002 until 31 March 2003, representing over 5.5 TWh of renewables electricity eligible under the obligation.

National Probation Service: Staffing

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to correct the shortage of staff in the Probation Service.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The National Probation Service (NPS) consists of 42 local probation boards which experience a range of staff vacancies. Typically for the last period of available figures (1 April 2003 to 30 June 2003), vacancies for the National Probation Service as a whole were 5.9 per cent, but rising to 9.9 per cent in the south-east of England. The leaving rate for the same period is 11.6 per cent.
	The National Probation Directorate (NPD) and the NPS, as part of the delivery plan for the service's people management strategy, are working on a wide range of initiatives to aid recruitment and retention of staff in the service.
	These include:
	Introduction of a new system of pay and conditions of service for NPS staff at all levels. Key elements of this modernised system are proposals to improve the package of pay and related benefits both to attract recruits and to improve retention. Measures such as high cost area allowances are being considered.
	Policies on flexible working, job-sharing and alternative types of leave.
	Examination of the effect of housing costs on recruitment and retention, and working alongside the National Health Service in identifying sources of affordable housing.
	The service also has an active qualifying training programme for new officers. This year's intake was just over 1,000 new trainee probation officers and in two years they will provide a substantial group of newly qualified probation officers.

Prisoners: Transfers between UK Jurisdictions

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the average time taken to grant requests for transfers between each of the three United Kingdom jurisdictions by prisoners whose families live in a jurisdiction other than the one where they were sentenced.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: In 2002, the average time taken to consider applications for the transfer of prisoners from England and Wales to Scotland was 171 days, and to Northern Ireland, 121 days.
	No prisoner was transferred from Northern Ireland to England and Wales or to Scotland in 2002. One prisoner was however transferred to England and Wales in 2003. This application took 120 days to consider.
	The transfer of prisoners from Scotland to England and Wales and to Northern Ireland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Immigration Removal Centres: Visiting Hours

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give details of the visiting hours at prisons and removal centres where people are detained under the Immigration Acts.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The visiting hours for each immigration removal centre, including those establishments managed on behalf of the Immigration Service by the Prison Service are as follows:
	
		
			 Centre Visiting hours 
			 Campsfield Between 2pm-5pm and 6pm-9pm daily for social visits.  The break is to accommodate the detainees' evening meal. Between 9am-noon, 1.30pm-5pm and 6.30pm-9pm daily for legal visits. 
			 Dover Between 9am-11.15am, 2pm-4.15pm daily for legal and social visits. 
			 Dungavel Between 1.30pm and 8.30pm daily for social visits. Between 9am-noon and 1.30pm-9pm for legal visits. 
			 Lindholme Between 9am-11.30am and 1.45pm-4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Between 1.45pm and 4pm at weekends. 
			 Harmondsworth Between 2pm and 9pm daily. Legal visit take place within 24 hours of the request being made between the hours of 9am to 9pm. 
			 Haslar Between 2pm and 4pm daily, except on Thursday. Between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Thursday. This applies to both social and legal visits. 
			 Oakington Between 2pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm daily for social visits. Legal representatives are on site. Outside legal representatives may vist their clients between 9.30am to 9pm daily. 
			 Tinsley House Between 9am and 9pm daily for legal visits. Between 2pm and 9pm daily for social visits. 
		
	
	Visits to individual detainees held in prisons will be in accordance with the Prison Service Operating Standard No. 44, Prisoners' Family Life, which includes provision for family visits.
	bjc

Zimbabwe: Removal of Failed Asylum Seekers

Baroness Park of Monmouth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the reasons (beyond the "political grounds" cited in the case of Thomson Dowu) for their policy, announced in January 2002, for not returning unsuccessful asylum seekers to Zimbabwe; and
	Why the Home Secretary "deemed it safe to return unsuccessful asylum seekers to Zimbabwe" in May 2003 and now say, "there is no reason why nationals of that country cannot return there voluntarily", despite the European Union statement of 12 September 2003 on the breakdown of the rule of law and the Foreign Secretary's assessment in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights report of 2003 that Zimbabwe, like Burma, "lives in the shadow of dictatorship or serious abuse of human rights"; and
	What the Home Office considers to be the minimum conditions that must be in place before unsuccessful Zimbabwe asylum seekers can be safely returned; and[HL4823]jenny
	What the Home Office considers to be the minimum conditions that must be in place before unsuccessful Zimbabwe asylum seekers can be returned on a politically expedient basis; and
	Whether the Home Office consulted or informed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and, through that office, the British High Commission in Zimbabwe before issuing the letter of 23 May 2003 deeming it safe for unsuccessful asylum seekers to be returned to Zimbabwe; and, if not, what information formed the basis for their decision.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The suspension of removals of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe announced in January 2002 was in response to concerns about the serious deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe in the build-up to the presidential election held in March that year. We did not, at that time, regard it as unsafe to return failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe, but in view of the rapidly changing conditions we considered that it would be appropriate not to enforce returns.
	The Government's position is, as it has been since January 2002, that each asylum (and human rights) claim made by a Zimbabwean national will be considered on its individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Each application is considered against the background of the latest available country information including that obtained from and through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	We do of course recognise that conditions in Zimbabwe are such that there are individuals who are able to demonstrate a need for international protection. Where they meet the definition of a refugee in the 1951 convention, asylum is granted. There may also be individuals whose circumstances make them particularly vulnerable and who would engage our obligations under the ECHR. Where this is the case these individuals will be granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.
	In the first six months of this year, we have granted asylum to 615 Zimbabweans and granted other forms of protection to over 20 others. These statistics show that we are giving protection to the significant number of people who are found to be in need of it.
	If an application is refused, there will be a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities against that decision. Should a claim be refused and any appeal be unsuccessful that means that, for that individual, return to Zimbabwe would be safe. That is why we consider it reasonable to expect an individual in that position to leave voluntarily.
	However, although it would be safe for failed asylum seekers to return to Zimbabwe, our view at present is that in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe, it would be inappropriate forcibly to return them at this time.
	The policy remains under continuous review. Huw

Asylum Seekers: Withdrawal of Support on Failure of Application

Baroness Park of Monmouth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any categories of asylum seekers other than Zimbabwe citizens from whom the National Asylum Support Services has been instructed, once their asylum application has failed, to withdraw accommodation, support and the right to work.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Section 94(3) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requires that, with the exception of families including children under the age of 18, support must be terminated to all asylum seekers regardless of nationality who have received a final decision on their claim.
	The employment concession for asylum seekers was abolished on 23 July 2002. Generally speaking, asylum seekers are no longer able to work while their applications are under consideration although we retain a discretion to grant permission to work in wholly exceptional or compassionate circumstances. Asylum seekers who had been given permission to work prior to abolition of the concession can continue to work until a final decision is made on their claim. Failed asylum seekers are also not entitled to work. Huw

Questions for Written Answer: Reply Times

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 16 October (WA 136) which stated "I do not know whether it will prove practicable to obtain this information, but we will look into the matter and I will write to the noble Lord as soon as possible", why it took in excess of 13 weeks to give this answer to the Lord Avebury when the standard time is two weeks; and what admonitions have been given to departments for this delay beyond the previous assertions that departments have been reminded of the need for prompt replies.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The delay to the Question tabled by Lord Avebury was caused by prolonged inconclusive debate between officials about whether the lead in dealing with the question should be taken by the Home Office, because of its responsibility for policy on criminal offences, or on faith policy, or by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, because of its responsibility for court statistics and records. Unfortunately, the mechanisms in place in the two departments which in the overwhelming majority of cases ensure that such debates are resolved quickly failed on this occasion. The staff concerned have been reminded that where agreement cannot be reached at desk officer level, questions must be referred to a sufficiently senior level in a timely fashion to ensure a resolution within the deadline. I offer an unreserved apology to the noble Lord and to the Lord Avebury for the delay which occurred on this occasion.

Genetically Modified Crops: Farm Scale Evaluations

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to receive advice on the genetically modified crop farm scale evaluation results from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment to which those results have been passed for review and advice.

Lord Whitty: The results of the farm scale evaluations have been passed to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). The committee is holding two public meetings to discuss the results and we expect to receive its advice within the next three months. jenny

Sheep Scab

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman on 16 February 2000 (WA 156), what progress is being made in the three-year programme of research into the understanding of the key elements for immunological control of sheep scab; whether they consider vaccination against sheep scab a viable proposition; and if so, when they consider that it will be introduced.

Lord Whitty: The sheep scab research projects to which the Countess refers ended in September of this year and the final reports are currently being compiled by the contractors. These projects have emphasised the complex nature of using a vaccine-based approach to control sheep scab. Nevertheless the data accrued are encouraging and have shown that both the lesion areas and numbers of scab mites are reduced following injection of extracts of scab mites. Furthermore, the effects can be enhanced by concentrating sub-fractions of the extract.
	Accordingly the Government continue to be hopeful that it may be possible to vaccinate against sheep scab. However, the development of any vaccine is a lengthy process and to that end a new three-year programme of sheep scab research is currently being developed with a view to work commencing early in 2004. We would hope to have a clearer idea of when a sheep scab vaccine might become available towards the end of these new projects.
	The sheep scab projects which began in spring 2000 have also found a fungus that will infect mites at the high skin temperature of the sheep, produced tentative evidence of mite growth hormones which may provide a key to their control and shown that anti-inflammatory drugs reduce sheep scab infection.
	It is hoped that all of these investigations will continue once the new projects have been commissioned. The cost is likely to be in the order of £550,000 per year until December 2007.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the undertaking given by Lord Whitty during the debate on the TSE (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/843) on 15 May 2002 (HL Deb. cols. 378–416), they have:
	(a) considered ways of ensuring that representations can be made against a notice of intended slaughter issued by a veterinary inspector; and
	(b) considered bringing in further regulations setting up an independent appeals adjudicator nominated by the British Veterinary Association;
	and if so, with what results.

Lord Whitty: Defra officials have been working closely with people in industry, including the British Veterinary Association, to develop new ideas to improve ways of making representations. It is expected that a fully independent body will be a key component of any revised system. We are also seeking to introduce a single, consistent process for all appropriate parts of the regulations.
	The new arrangements will need to be placed on a proper statutory footing. As such, we will consult on our new proposals, over the coming weeks, as part of a package of relatively minor changes to the TSE regulations. bern

Bovine Tuberculosis: Findings of Independent Scientific Group

Lord Gregson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will update the House on the findings of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle Tuberculosis.

Lord Whitty: The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) was appointed by Ministers in 1998 to design and oversee a large-scale field trial, the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), aimed at evaluating badger culling as a means to reduce the incidence of cattle TB. The trial involves three experimental treatments: (i) proactive culling, which aims to reduce badger densities to very low levels across entire trial areas, (ii) reactive culling, which seeks to remove only those badgers geographically close to recent cattle TB outbreaks on particular premises, and (iii) no culling (survey only).
	The culling of badgers in reactive treatment areas of the RBCT will be suspended from today. The decision to suspend the culling of badgers in these areas has been taken on the basis of recent scientific findings from the ISG.
	The ISG has advised Ministers that its interim analysis of trial data so far indicates that there was a 27 per cent increase in the number of cases of bovine TB (breakdowns) occurring in reactive culling areas compared to the related survey-only areas where no badger culling took place.
	We have decided to suspend operations immediately because of the risk that a further three months of culling would cause additional TB breakdowns.
	The results that have not emerged from the reactive culling part of the trial will be published as soon as possible in a peer reviewed scientific journal. Data on herd breakdowns from the reactive trial areas will continue to be collected and subjected to further analysis with the more detailed results being submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal at a later date.
	On the advice of the ISG, operations will continue in proactive areas because the data for these areas do not yet yield a statistically significant result. The survey-only (control) areas will also continue to be monitored.
	The Government's policy on bovine TB is based on scientific advice and these findings will be taken into account in the development of the forthcoming TB strategy.